THE deputy leader of South Lanarkshire council has been charged after an incident last month.

Jackie Burns, a Labour member on the local authority, has also been suspended by his party.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "We can confirm that a 52 year old man has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with an alleged offence."

Burns represents Larkhall on the Labour-run council and sits on various committees, including social work, planning, recruitment and housing.

He is also the number two to leader Eddie McAvoy, who is not standing for re-election next year.

Burns is also listed as a board member of NHS Lanarkshire.

He used to be a civil servant and also worked in the office of former Labour MP Jimmy Hood as a “communications manager”. He is a member of the Unite trade union.

A Scottish Labour spokesman said: "Councillor Jackie Burns has been suspended from the party and the South Lanarkshire Council Labour group."

A council spokesman said: "The council has been informed that councillor Burns has been suspended by his party. The council leader has advised that councillor Burns will cease to represent the Labour party on the council while he is suspended."

A Crown Office spokesperson: "The Procurator Fiscal has received a report concerning a 52-year-old man in connection with an alleged incident said to have occurred on 18 September 2016. The report remains under consideration.”